Pick-Pocketin’ Preachers! 10 Black Churches Caught Up In Embezzlement Scandals
- By
Kimberly Gedeon
New Birth Baptist Church (Georgia)
Ephren Taylor, first introduced by Megapastor Eddie Long in New Birth Baptist Church, masterminded what officials call the “Christian Ponzi Scheme.” This preacher’s son scammed $11 million out of Black churchgoers across 40 states! $11 million. “He’s quoted scriptures!” Lillian Wells said, a member of ATL-based New Birth. Wells says she was convinced by Taylor to invest $122,000 — her entire life savings — into a real estate venture. Of course, as you probably guessed, Thieving Taylor later disappeared. Wells, when the story broke out in 2012, explained her struggles with a soon-to-be foreclosed home. Countless others suffered similar fates. A judge ruled that Taylor must repay the investors $14.5 million.
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